New call to approve surgeon general

More than two dozen House Democrats are calling on the Senate to swiftly approve Vivek Murthy’s nomination to serve as surgeon general to help combat the spread of the deadly Ebola virus in the U.S.

Murthy’s nomination got sidelined after Republicans and vulnerable Senate Democrats voiced reservations about the Harvard Medical School physician’s outspoken views on gun violence and public health. But the House Democrats, in a letter set to be released next week, argue that the Obama administration needs a top official in place to help with the Ebola response.

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“The American public would benefit from having a Surgeon General to disseminate information that is desperately needed,” the Democrats wrote. “The Surgeon General can also work to amplify the Center for Disease Control’s actions, reassure the American people, and combat misinformation here at home.”

President Barack Obama nominated Murthy in 2013.

Congress and the Obama administration has been under intense pressure to show it is successfully combating the spread of Ebola on U.S. soil. Two nurses in Dallas have been diagnosed with the virus after treating a Liberian man who was infected in Africa and later flew to the U.S. Eric Thomas Duncan died from the disease in early October.

Obama announced on Friday that Ron Klain, a former senior staffer to Vice President Joe Biden, would serve as the administration’s chief coordinator for the Ebola crisis. A surgeon general would be a senior official in any White House response under Klain’s management.

The 29 House Democrats, led by California Reps. Barbara Lee, Judy Chu and Ami Bera, voice support for Murthy’s nomination in the letter.

“Given the public’s increasing fears regarding the spread of the disease, it is imperative that we confirm a Surgeon General who will play a significant role in educating the American public about the disease and how to best protect their health,” states the letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

Even with growing pressure on politicians to show progress in the fight against Ebola, there is little time on the calendar to approve a surgeon general after senators return from their recess in November. Lawmakers have to approve a budget and have other high-profile posts like the attorney general and Secret Service director to potentially fill. There is also a chance that party control of the Senate isn’t decided until January because of run-off elections — a likely complication in scheduling a vote on Murthy.